Word to the Wise
Saturday, August 4, 2012 - Saturday in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jer 26:11-16, 24 and Matt 14:1-12]Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him."
When I was a child and complained to my mother that one of my friends or siblings had said something to me that upset me, she would quote the old saying: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me!" I'm not so sure that Jeremiah, John the Baptist or Jesus would agree with that! (I doubt my mother would have been amused if I had replied with that!) Jeremiah's words nearly got him lynched in yesterday's and today's first scriptures. John the Baptist's denunciation of Herod's incestuous marriage caused him to be arrested and eventually beheaded at the request of the offended lady! Jesus' words (and deeds) led to his death at the hands of Romans at the request of the Jewish authorities of the time in Jerusalem. Prophets have to speak [Jer. 20:9], and often their words cause pain and resentment from those who are being challenged. Sticks and stones and other violent responses are sure to follow!
Occasionally, in times of personal or public disaster, one hears the expression, "Why didn't so-and-so speak out?" This can run the gamut from pope to personal friend. Why didn't, some say, Pope Pius XII speak out more forcefully against the Nazi regime? Why didn't this or that friend warn another friend of the dangers of their lifestyle or addictive consumption? We seem to want prophetic figures but maybe not speaking against US! If we are offended or scandalized by a challenge to our way of living, perhaps we should stop for a moment and see if the challenge is justified, instead of ridding the world of yet another prophet! AMEN